Influence of Animal Manures on Carbon Mineralisation and Nutrient Availability in Calcareous Soil

Abstract

Many studies were reported the impact of manure addition in enhancing soil fertility. However, animal manures might have different effects on calcareous soils. The effect of two different animal manure on carbon mineralisation and macronutrient availability in calcareous soils was studied. Different rates of poultry manure (PM5= 5 g kg-1, and PM10= 10 g kg-1 soil), cattle manure (CM5= 5 g kg-1 and CM10= 10 g kg-1 soil), and an equal mixture of the two animal manures (PCM5= 5 g kg-1, and PCM10= 10 g kg-1 soil) was investigated for 90 days. Animal manures increased CO2–C respiration rate and cumulative CO2-C in soils compared to untreated soils, and the highest results were observed in treatments that received 10 g kg-1 soil manure (PM10, PCM10 and CM10). The addition of animal manures increased available N, P, and K compared to untreated soils. Furthermore, treatments that received poultry manure alone (PM5, PM10) or in combination with cattle manure (PCM5, PCM10) contained a greater amount of available nutrients (N, P and K) when compared to soils treated with cattle manure at the same addition rate. Overall, the addition of poultry and cattle manures to calcareous soil has positive effects on macronutrient availability and carbon mineralisation.